KARACHI: The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) on Thursday foiled an attempt to steal oil from the National Refinery after uncovering an underground tunnel in the Korangi Industrial Area.
According to SIU officials, the operation was conducted in Mehran Town following a tip-off about large quantities of excavated earth being dumped into the Malir River from a clothing warehouse. During the raid, police discovered a 15 to 16-foot-deep well inside the warehouse, from where the suspects had dug an underground tunnel.
SIU Sub-Inspector Owais Tanoli said the tunnel, measuring around 140 metres in length and four feet in width, was being constructed to reach an oil pipeline connected to the National Refinery. The setup indicated a well-planned scheme aimed at siphoning oil.
Four suspects were arrested during the raid, while pipes, clamps and other tools used to dig the tunnel and facilitate oil theft were recovered. SIU officials said timely action prevented a major potential incident in the Korangi Industrial Area and further investigations are under way.
